The Morning After
It is the night when the saints greet the wicked,
and witches and vampires romance a chaste moon,
when hobgoblins whistle their white noisy sounds,
and black cats embody all matters taboo.
When dogs’ ears have ceased making their rounds,
and children and candy have torn tearfully apart,
a creak in the attic, a tap on the window—
such inexplicable incidents jumpstart my heart.
I lie like a zombie all through the night,
listening and trembling for hour upon hour,
until morning erases all traces of fright,
and the agents of evil have surrendered their power.
Apparition
I remember a weekday home early from school
to lie ‘sick’ in my parents’ room and read my new
comic books. Pillow-stacked among Dagwood,
Blondie and Archie, I glanced up from Zorro
and saw in my father’s closet Honest Abe
suited in his best black. It wasn’t his hairy
face or stovepipe hat that unnerved me but
his piercing dark eyes that took me aback.
He was gone in an instant but my mind’s eye
recalls him whenever I doubt any uncanny event.
I wonder if he intended to scare me or merely
to share a cartoon caper or two. One thing
is certain—he cured me of peering into closets
with which I have nothing to do.
Pauline, if it wasn’t the morning after I’d be scared out of my wits! Interesting to see the dedication placed into this and I say: keep going! Here’s what’s interesting: “chaste moon,” “white noisy sounds,” “agents of evil” and “black cats embody all matters taboo.” I’d like to know more about the children and the candy. I believe we hear enough typically about vampires and witches. What kinds of candy did these kids receive? What happens to these kids when they eat too much of it? Perhaps the scary elements occur after eating too much of the sugary sweets. The “listening and trembling for hour upon hour,” occurs after the fact. Maintain your good skill of sensory details. It pays off.
ReplyDelete